The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

During her lonely childhood, Lucy Hart found solace in Jack Masterson’s Clock Island books. Now a teacher’s aide, she shares her love of reading with Christopher, a former student she’d give anything to adopt – if only she could afford it.

Just when Lucy is about to give up, the famously reclusive writer announces that he’s finally written a new book, and he’s holding a contest at his home on the real Clock Island to win the only copy.

Winning the most sought-after book in the world could change Lucy and Christopher’s lives. But with wily opponents, the books’ distractingly handsome illustrator, and Jack Masterson himself to contend with, that won’t be as easy as she wishes . . .